The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a policy on promotion of city compost, including market development assistance of ₹1,500/tonne to scale up its production and sale.

“Market development assistance would lower MRP (maximum retail price) of city compost for farmers,” said an official release, adding that compost from city garbage would not only provide carbon and primary/secondary nutrients to soil but also help in keeping the city clean.

It said the ‘Eco-mark’ standard for city compost would also ensure that environment-friendly quality products reach farmers.

Under the policy, fertiliser companies and marketing entities will co-market city compost with chemical fertilisers through their dealer network. “The companies will also adopt villages for promoting the use of compost. Government departments and public sector undertakings will also use city compost for their horticulture and related uses,” the release added.

Also, a joint mechanism will be set up by the Department of Fertilisers, Ministry of Urban Development and Department of Agriculture to monitor and facilitate availability of adequate quantity of city compost at terms mutually agreeable between compost manufacturers and fertiliser marketing companies.

“They will also be authorised to resolve any co-ordination related issue that may arise,” it added.

The policy aims to generate compost to reduce the volume of waste to landfill/dumpsite by converting the waste into useful by-products. This will also prevent production of harmful greenhouse gases (especially methane) and toxic material that pollutes groundwater apart from polluting the environment.

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